(example from Spring Semester, 2012)
Learning Goals:
In this course, students will become familiar with the available molecular and genetic tools to study plant development
• Be exposed to the most recent advances in the field of plant growth and development
• Be able to critically analyze and interpret published data pertaining to plant development
• Be able to identify gaps in current knowledge of plant development and develop a proposal to
address these gaps using experimental approaches from the course
Course Description:
This course will cover various aspects of plant growth and development at the molecular level and recent advances in understanding molecular mechanisms of gene regulation in plants. The course emphasis willbe on current literature to understand how the tools of genetics, molecular biology and genomics are being used to understand plant development. During the first part of the course a lecture format will be used to present the material, with pauses for discussions of published data. Lecture material will be drawn mostly from recent reviews and researcharticles. Handouts with the outline of the lecture and required reading will be provided for each lectureon RamCT. A discussion format will be used in the latter part of the course. One research article will be assigned to each student who will present the paper and the relevant background information and the restof the students are also expected to read the paper and participate in the discussion. The purpose of the
discussion papers is to introduce you to some of the recent and novel experimental approaches to study developmental and cell biological problems. Hence, you are expected to read these papers thoroughly and understand the methodologies used.
Group Project: Messing About with Genes
Students will be paired for a bioinformatics exercise to use online resources to thoroughly analyze a gene. Each pair of students will make a Powerpoint presentation on this work, as well as preparing a paper.
Research Proposal:
Each student is required to prepare a brief research proposal (5 typed pages excluding references) on any aspect of plant growth and development subject to approval by the instructors. Be sure to use modern tools of plant molecular biology/genetics/genomics/bioinformatics to accomplish the proposed objectives. A handout describing the instructions for preparing the research proposals will be provided. Proposal evaluation will be based on the originality of the proposal, rationale for the proposed objective(s), experimental approaches and their feasibility and significance of the proposed research.
Grading: Final grades will be based on the following:
Take home exam I 100 points 25%
Take home exam II 100 points 25%
Messing about with Genes 40 points 10%
Research Proposal 80 points 20%
Paper presentations 80 points 20%
(and participation in discussions)
LECTURE SCHEDULE
Introduction and Methods
1/17 PB Approaches to the study of plant development; Forward genetics
1/19 PB Reverse genetic approaches
1/24 AR Gene Isolation
1/26 AR High-throughput approaches
1/31 AR Plant transformation methods
Cellular and subcellular aspects of development
2/2 PB Cell walls
2/7 PB Organelle biogenesis
2/9 AR Cytoskeleton
2/14 AR Cell cycle
2/16 PB Plant Hormones
Reproductive development
2/21 PB Induction of flowering
2/23 PB Flower development – Take home exam I given out
2/28 PB Gametogenesis
3/1 PB Pollen-pistil interactions, self-incompatibility
3/6 PB Fertilization and embryogenesis
3/8 PB Seed development
SPRING BREAK
3/20 PB Fruit development, Take home Exam I due
3/22 Powerpoint presentations on Messing About with Genes
Vegetative development
3/27 AR Shoot meristem and organogenesis
3/29 AR Shoot meristem and organogenesis
4/3 AR Leaf development
4/5 AR Trichome development
4/10 AR Photomorphogenesis
4/12 AR Triple Response
4/17 AR Root development – Take home Exam II given out
4/19 Paper presentation and discussion
4/24 Paper presentation and discussion
4/26 Paper presentation and discussion
5/1 Paper presentation and discussion
5/3 Paper presentation and discussion, proposal due
5/10 Panel Meeting – Take home exam II due